The president spoke of the “angry left” during his convention speech the other day. I cannot speak for all, but I am angry.
I am angry because at the end of your two terms as “steward” of the country, you leave us and our children and grandchildren with a $10 trillion debt. I am angry that people have to struggle during these difficult economic times while you and your clones want to make tax cuts permanent for the very rich.
I am angry because you leave us with two endless wars. I am angry because you have allowed torture in my name. I am angry because you have not done anything about the nuclear proliferation in the world, even though you promised to do so during your campaign.
I am angry because the number of people with no health insurance has risen during your reign.
I am angry because our civil liberties have been trampled. I am angry because poverty, teenage pregnancies, and sexually transmitted diseases have increased because of your misguided policies. I am angry because scientific conclusions are being ignored regarding global warming and species extinction.
I am angry that women’s equality and women’s right to privacy and appropriate health care is sliding back to a time when women were considered chattel.
And I am angry that Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin have all but ignored to offer any solutions to these realities, but take the time to espouse certainty regarding the beginning of human life. Rigid beliefs in religious dogma are sometimes touted as moral strength.
This election is about rebuilding our democracy. To return to a strong America, we need a government of protection and empowerment. American democracy has never been about government taking away civil liberties or making important personal decisions for us.
Will Benjamin Franklin’s warning, that we may not be able to keep our democracy, finally come true? I hope not.
Let us change, not perpetuate, the extremist, radical agenda of the last eight years. Barack Obama and Joe Biden need your vote.
This article appears in Oct 2-9, 2008.